Natural dye (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside) sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cell fabricated using liquid electrolyte/quasi-solid-state polymer electrolyte

TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated using TiO2 photoelectrodes sensitized using the extracts of Delonix regia (May flower, locally called Vakai) and Eugenia Jambolana (Indian blackberry, locally called Naval) as natural sensitizers and their characteristics have been studied. Among them Eugenia Jambolana gave the best photosensitization effect and presents the prospect to be used as an environment-friendly, low-cost alternative system. The extracts having anthocyanin pigment (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside), which have carboxylic groups in the molecule can attach effectively to the surface of TiO2 film. The solar cell constructed using the Eugenia Jambolana sensitized TiO2 photo-electrode exhibited a short-circuit photocurrent of 1.49 mA and a power conversion efficiency of 0.5%.

► Easily available natural dyes Delonix regia and Eugenia Jambolana have been used to sensitize TiO2 electrodes for solar cell applications.
► The extracts having anthocyanin pigment (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside), which have carboxylic groups in the molecule can attach effectively to the surface of TiO2 film.
► The solar cell constructed using the Eugenia Jambolana sensitized TiO2 photo-electrode exhibited a short-circuit photocurrent of 1.49 mA and a power conversion efficiency of 0.5%.
► Among them Eugenia Jambolana gave the best photosensitization effect and presents the prospect to be used as an environment-friendly, low-cost alternative system.